Governor Patrick’s Second Budget: What A Difference A Year Makes
Author(s): Liam Day and Jim Stergios — Date: 2008-01-23
Category: Better Government
Description: More than a year after taking office, the Governor’s second budget raises serious concerns about the state’s fiscal trajectory. Some evidence of a commitment to transparent budgeting remains, but there is obfuscation on other critical issues, and the Governor seems to have abandoned the long-term reforms that were present in his first budget.
These developments are disheartening and raise concerns about the administration’s fiscal management at a time of uncertainty. [read more...] UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: A DRAG ON EMPLOYMENT?
Author(s): John O’Leary and Steve Poftak — Date: 2008-01-16
Category: Better Government
Description: As our economy slows to the verge of recession, it is urgent that state government support the employers and workers who drive growth. Unfortunately, our unemployment insurance system is broken, diverting benefits away from the truly needy and increasing the cost of employing
Unemployment Insurance in Massachusetts: Burdening Businesses and Hurting Job Creation
A Pioneer Policy Brief
By John O’Leary and Steve Poftak
workers in Massachusetts. [read more...] ANOTHER CARROT FOR THE HOUSING MARKET?
Author(s): A Rappaport Institute/Pioneer Joint Init — Date: 2007-10-11
Category: Better Government
Description: While the Commonwealth Housing Task Force (CHTF) means well—proposing
(in a report released today) to boost production of much-needed workforce housing in Massachusetts—their approach will have little impact on the real cause of home-price inflation. [read more...] Our Legacy of Neglect:
Author(s): Steve Poftak — Date: 2007-07-23
Category: Better Government
Description: The Longfellow Bridge, which
celebrates its 100th anniversary this month, is in
critical condition. It’s been ravaged not only by
time, but by the neglect that the Commonwealth
shows all of our vital infrastructure.
Now the bill is coming due. [read more...] Water, water everywhere - so why is there a watering ban?
Author(s): — Date: 2007-07-18
Category: Economic Opportunity
Description: Even though the Commonwealth is
blessed with adequate rainfall and full reservoirs,many towns greet summer with watering bans and other draconian conservation tactics that seem
better suited to the desert Southwest. Why?
Economists Sheila Olmstead and Robert Stavins, in their new Pioneer Institute study Managing Water Demand, argue that heavy-handed, punitive restrictions on water use are not only expensive, but often ineffective. At this Thursday’s Pioneer
event, at Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., the authors will explain how adjusting water prices to manage demand could be a more cost-effective
way to achieve important environmental goals. [read more...] Dear Conference Committee
Author(s): — Date: 2007-05-31
Category: Better Government
Description: As the Legislature goes into Conference Committee to settle differences over the various budget documents, it is important for them to consider the following “open” items, which represent goals shared by most people in Massachusetts, regardless of political affiliation...So, just how well did the Governor, the Senate and House do? You decide. [read more...] Two Steps to Closing our Schools' Achievement Gap:
Author(s): Pioneer Institute — Date: 2007-04-25
Category: Education
Description: In a provocative new Pioneer Institute policy brief, entitled "Scaling Up Accountability and Innovation," Center for School Reform Director Jamie Gass argues that our education reforms have not gone far or deep enough to address the failure of too many inner-city schools.
[read more...] |
